College of Business Administration

Seminar in Business and the Good Society

Discussion Questions for April 09, 2003:

1) In regards to the welfare system Galbraith states, “Some abuse, as it will be regarded is inevitable in this part of the welfare system and must be tolerated.”
Is some abuse of the system acceptable? How can the good society limit the abuse?

2) In regards to the distribution of income Galbraith states, “the most effective instrument for achieving a greater measure of income equality remains the progressive income tax…a loss of income at the margin is less painful for the rich than for the less affluent…the rich and the comfortable have influence and money. And they vote. The concerned and the poor have numbers, but many of the poor, alas do not vote.”
Do you agree with Galbraith’s view on progressive tax? Is progressive taxation fair? How can a strong progressive tax be passed if lobbyists/legislators/voters, will be the most negatively affected?

3) A basic feature of Galbraith’s good society is the opportunity it affords for upward economic and social movement. This creates a vacuum at the bottom, which migration fills. Many migrant workers work in the U.S. and send their untaxed income home to their family.
In what ways can these individuals be considered contributing citizens of the good society?

4) In regards to foreign policy Galbraith states, “…the favored countries of the planet will live peacefully together because of the internationalization of their economic, social and cultural lives.”
In what ways should the good society be permitted to impose its ideals on ‘unfavored’ countries?

5) With a shift from agrarian to a capitalist society some individuals living conditions may suffer.
How can the good society limit the deprivation?

6) In regards to the role of education Galbraith states, “With education and therewith comes improvement; without it there is none, and the plausible recourse is to crime and violence…In the good society there are two further and vital services of education. One is to allow people to govern themselves intelligently, and the other is to allow them to enjoy life itself to the fullest.”
How does an un-educated person enjoy life to the fullest compared to an education person?

7) Galbraith has a strong opinion about military spending. He states, “Democratic control has been effectively set aside. This is the present situation as regards the military in the United States…the autonomous military power that now exists must be brought under effective democratic control.”
Do you agree that military spending is not under democratic control? If you agree, how can it be brought under control?

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